RICHARD FIRSHEIN: MY INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE GURU

01-February-2017

RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR

Richard Firshein is one of world’s much-read and appreciated columnists. A leading physician, clinician, researcher, writer-editor, and educator, in integrative/mind-body/nutritional medicine, Firshein is doubtless a gifted wordsmith. He writes on health, wellness and specialised medical subjects, for the lay and/or the specialist reader, with simplicity, precision, and clarity.

I first got to know Firshein, in 1998-99, when I read his much-acclaimed book, Reversing Asthma — rated as one among the ‘Best 100 Books of the Last Century.’ I was immediately drawn to his ideas.

I was so impressed that I sent him an E-mail, suggesting that I’d be delighted to do a story on his ‘hands-on’ asthma treatment plan — as outlined in the book.

I got a swift, positive response from his office. I sent him a handful of questions. Firshein responded promptly. My story appeared in the Sunday supplement of one of India’s leading dailies.

It did not take long for me, thereafter, to establish a regular channel of communication with him. As luck would have it, I happened to be one of the first writers that received a review copy of his yet another landmark work, The Nutraceutical Revolution [2000]. I reviewed the book — and, also wrote an in-depth article on his work on reversing asthma in a medical journal I edited at that point in time.

I admire Firshein’s astounding range of work, and also his writings — he knows this quite well.

I also admire him for his amazing erudition and simplicity. He continues to write for my Website/magazine that I edit and publish. He sure makes my day when he reverts on his articles’ final edits, with one or two suggestions, but only when appropriate, and just as promptly — “It’s fine, please go ahead.”

Firshein was enormously kind to offer me the publishing rights for the India edition of The Nutraceutical Revolution, in its fully updated, expanded edition — The Vitamin Prescription [For Life]. I was enormously delighted — but, after giving it my best shot, I felt it was much, much better to bring out the book, under a good, full-fledged imprint. It happened. The book was published, for the Indian and South-East Asian markets, four years ago.

It is, doubtless, a dream-come-true for me. It was also the least that I’d do for my ‘guru’ and friend.